Introduction

Tomato plants need support as they grow taller to prevent the stem from breaking due to the weight of the fruit. Growers use different methods to provide support to tomato plants, such as staking and trellising. Trusses are one of the most popular methods of support that growers use. In this article, we will discuss how many trusses you should leave on a tomato plant to ensure good growth and productivity.

What are Trusses?

Trusses are branches that grow out of the main stem of the tomato plant. They produce fruit, and they are the part of the plant that requires support. In some cases, the trusses can grow so heavy that they may break off from the stem, leading to a loss of fruit and plant damage. Trusses need support to remain healthy, and growers must decide how many trusses to keep on a tomato plant to ensure productivity while minimizing the risk of damage.

Factors Affecting the Number of Trusses on a Tomato Plant

Several factors can influence the number of trusses that growers can leave on a tomato plant. These include the variety of the plant, the time of planting, the growing conditions, and the desired size of the fruit. Some tomato varieties produce fewer trusses than others, and certain growing conditions, such as high heat, can limit the number of trusses that a plant can handle. Growers must also consider the size of the fruit that they wish to grow, as larger fruit requires more energy, meaning fewer trusses are necessary.

Factors to Consider when Deciding How Many Trusses to Leave on a Tomato Plant

When deciding on the number of trusses to leave on a tomato plant, growers must consider several essential factors:

Variety of Plant: Some tomato varieties produce more trusses than others. For example, indeterminate tomatoes can grow up to 30 trusses per plant.

Growing Conditions: High heat and humidity can limit the number of trusses that tomato plants can handle. Growers must ensure that their plants receive enough water and proper airflow to grow healthy and productive.

Desired Fruit Size: Larger fruit requires more energy from the tomato plant, so growers must limit the number of trusses to ensure that each fruit reaches its maximum potential size.

Recommended Number of Trusses on a Tomato Plant

The recommended number of trusses that growers should leave on a tomato plant depends on the variety of the plant and the desired size of the fruit.

Determinate Tomatoes: These plants are bushier and should be pruned to grow no more than one or two trusses per stem, resulting in six-to-eight trusses per plant.

Indeterminate Tomatoes: These plants continue to grow throughout the season, and growers can leave up to 30 trusses per branch, resulting in a total of 80-to-100 trusses per plant.

Semi-determinate Tomatoes: Growers should limit the number of trusses to 10-to-12 per plant.

Conclusion

Trusses provide essential support to tomato plants and help them grow healthy and productive. When deciding on the number of trusses to leave on a tomato plant, growers must consider several factors, such as the variety of the plant, the desired size of the fruit, and the growing conditions. The recommended number of trusses varies depending on the type of tomato plant, with determinate tomatoes requiring only one-to-two trusses per stem, while indeterminate tomatoes can support up to 30 trusses per branch.